Locomotive boiler firebox



Aug. 22, 1944.

A. W. NELSON LOCOMOTIVE BOILER FIREBOX 2 Sheets-sheet 1 Filed Sept. 26, 1942 Patented Aug. 22, 1944 yArthur W. Nelson, Park Ridge, Ill., assigner to Locomotive Firebox Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation o f Delaware Application September 26, 1942, Serial No. 459,771

` 12 Claims.

I This invention relates to improvements in locomotive boiler iireboxes and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Y

The invention is more especially concerned with locomotive boiler reboxes of the kind equipped with water steaming and circulating elements and which include portions for the inlet of'water from the lower' part of the boiler and other portions for the outlet of water through the crown sheet back into the upper part of the water space of the boiler.

Heretofore in locomotive boiler reboxes equipped with elements of this kind, the outlet portions opened through the crown sheet in the same' plane extending either longitudinally or transversely thereof. ThisV necessitated the re moval from the crown sheet of many adjacent staybolts in the same row, thus concentratingthe load upon the remaining adjacent staybolts. Because of the location of the outlets, the dischargeof water in prior construction was alsoj quite concentrated.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide in a locomotive rebox of the kind mentioned, an improved arrangement of the outlet portions of the water steaming and circulating elements whereby such portions open through the crown sheet in a manner permitting a better distribution of the staybolts connecting the crown sheets with the boiler sheet above the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a iirebox construction of the kind mentioned giving a better distribution of the water discharged over the crown sheet.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction of the kind mentioned wherein it is possible to provide a greater distance between the outlet end portions of each element where they extend through the crown sheet, without increasing the spacing between the elements as a whole.

Again, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction which will increase the heating area of the elements whereby further to improve the efliciency of the rebox.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, Vtogether with the advantages thereof will more fully appear as the specication proceeds.

2 In the drawings:

. Fig. 1Y is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a combustion chamber type of locomotive boiler firebox embodying of the invention. v

the preferred formv ftional fuel door opening 20.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view through a part of the firebox appearing in Fig. 1 as taken on the line 2 2 of said Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal detail sectional view through parts shown in Fig. 1 on a scale enlarged over that of Fig. 1 and as taken on the line 3-3 thereof and more particularly shows the disposition of the outletsv of the circulating and steaming elements or members in the crown sheet and their relation to the staybolts connecting the crown sheet tc the boiler sheet thereabove.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one of the water steaming and circulating elements of the iirebox when removed from the same.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but being on a slightly reduced scale and illustrating a modied construction.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of the accompanying drawings, the firebox therein shown includes a crown sheet 5 which merges into the inner side sheets 6, and aback sheet l and inner throat sheet 8. `The crown sheet extends forwardly of the inner throatrsheet 8 to form the top of the combustion chamber 9. This chamber is closed at the front by a iue sheet III and the bottom II of said chamber merges into the front end of the inner throat sheet 8.

The outer rear sheet of the boiler is indicated at I2, the outer side sheets are indicated at I3 and the outer throat sheet is indicated at I4. The said sheets I2I3 and I4 cooperate with the top sheet I5 of the boiler and the inner sheets 6, I and 8 in ormingthe back water leg IB, the side water legs I6a. and the front throat I'l respective1y,all in communication with the water space I8 of the boiler. The back and side water legs and the front throat are bottomed by a mud ring I9 and portions of the inner and outer back sheets are formed to coact in providing a conven- The crown sheet and side sheets are connected to the top sheet I5 and to the outer side sheets I3 thereof by staybolts 2l and these aredisposed in rows extending longitudinally and transversely ofthe rebox as a-whole. The structure just described is conventional in locomotive type of rebox boilers and requires no further detailed'description.-

To increase the eiective evaporating surface of the rebox and the water seaming and circulating eiiiciency of the associated boiler, as well as to provide support for an arch in the rebox when such an arch is desired, the following arrangement is present:

Inthe rebox. I provide one or more elements,

each having a lower portion, the outer ends of which open through the side sheets and a plurality of spaced apart upper portions that connect the said lower portion with that part of the boiler water space I8 above the crown sheet. The number of such elements is, of course, dependent upon the size and type of rebox. As shown in Fig. 1, there' arey seven of such elements spaced apart longitudinally of the firebox as a whole and extending trans-versely thereof. Five of such elements are disposed in the main fire chamber of the firebox and two of such elements are disposed in the combustion chamber 9. Be-

ginning at the rear end of the rebox, these ele-- ments bear the consecutive reference numerals 22-23-24-25-26-21 and 28 respectively.

As shown, all of these elements are similar in structure and differ only in size as manifested principally in the length of certain of the parts` thereof. Therefore, a description of one element will sufce for all. Taking the element 26 in the firebox as anexample, merely because it has the greatest vertical height or length, the same ncludes a hollow lower portion in the form of a pair of outwardly and downwardly extending tubular inlet legs 29-29 respectively, the outer ends of each of which open through and are welded pressure-tight in the associated side sheets 6-6 of the irebox. 35i- 30' indicate the upwardly extending tubular outlet legs of the element, the lower ends of which curve inwardly toward' each other to connect with the top central part of a junction portion 3 I, the bottom part of which is in communication with the top central part of the inlet legs 29-29. If desired, but not necessarily so, so far asthe present invention is concerned, I may provide an upright partition 32 in the junction portion 3| to divide the same into two channels 33-33 each connecting an inlet leg 29 with an outlet leg 30 on the same side of' thus concentrating the load upon the remaining' staybolts in such longitudinal or transverse plane.

By offsetting or staggering the ends of the outlet legs to the front and to the rear of the transverse plane of the inlet legs 29 of the associated element, a line connecting the centers of: said outlet ends extends diagonally with respect to both the longitudinal and transverse rows of staybolts. This arrangement is best shown in Fig. 3' where it is apparent that each outlet end is disposed in its own isolated part of the crown sheet as outlined by at least twelve staybolts arranged as a rectangle. From Fig. 3, it is also apparent that the distance between the nearest sides of the top ends of the outlet legs 35i-3U, where they open through the crown sheet, are spaced furthere is a better distribution of staybolts, due to arranging the staybolts necessary to be removed, on alternate opposite sides of a longitudinal plane of the crown sheet. Again, with this arrangement of outlet ends for the legs 30-30 of the elements in the firebox, a better distribution of water discharged into the boiler space above the crown sheet is possible for flooding -the crown sheet so as to keepthe same fully protected under low water conditions in the boiler.

As best appears in Fig. 4, it is apparent that the top endof an outlet leg 30 is offset to one side ofl the plane of the axis of the inlet legs 23 and thetop endv of the other outlet leg 30 is olf- 'set tor-the other side of said plane of said axis.

When the element is disposed in a rebox, the oiset of said outlet ends is forwardly and rearwardly of said plane and in the direction of the length of the rebox. To obtain this otiset feature in the outlet portions, one leg is swung forwardly from the' junction portion 3l and the other leg is swung rearwardly therefrom so that' viewing said legs'from the side as in Fig. 1, they diverge upwardly from the junction portion and: the angle of this divergence is other than a right angle to the plane `of that portion of the crown sheet wherein these upper ends pass through the same, Due to the difference in the vertical lengths of the several elements, i't is apparent that there is a variation in the angle of divergence in the legs of the said elements. So that it is not necessary to cut ovate shaped openings in the crown sheet of'varying majordimensions., to accommodate the different angles of divergence,l and which might require the removal of extra staybolts toaccommodate the same, I preferably form the outlet ends of' each element so that -they are *disposed perpendicularly to plane of the crown sheet where said ends are to pass through the same. Thus, as the outlet ends are round or circular in shape, I am enabled to employ round or circular holes in the crown sheet, which shaped holes are the easiest to make. A1- so, all holes are alike and occupy the smallest area in the crown sheet so that only'a minimum number of staybolts 2I' need be removed to' accommodate the installation.

The modication shown in Fig. 5 is in all respects like the construction illustrated and described with respect to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, except that the partition plate 32 is omitted, thus' putting the outlets 30 in common communication with the inlet legs 29; Hence, no further description is thought necessary.

When an arch is desired' in the' iirebox, a series of side bricks is laid upon the inlet legs 29o!P the elements in the main re chamber. The en'ds of the bricks, considered longitudinally of theI rebox, are engaged upon the inlet legs 29, the foremost series of bricks engaging at one en-d upon the throat sheet 8, Each series of bricks is made up of laterally spaced sets of bricks' 34-34 as appears best in Fig. 2, the inner endmost bricks in each set beingseparatedjto provide a sp'ace substantially in line with the junction' portions of said elements. This spaced is ll'ed in'- by a central key brick 35' thathasy a' wedge-like engagement at its'fsides;I as'bestappears inA Fig. 2.

With the arrangement described', a better distribution of load or stress on the crownv sheet obtains than has heretofore been possible in rebox constructions of this general'. type', and a better pattern arrangement forthe removal' of the-stayb'ol'ts is possible. Therey is valso 'someincreaseln heating area of the elements and' a better-distribution of waterdischarge'd'into the'boile'rfwater space above the crown sheet occurs-thus assuring. complete flooding -of the crown sheet 'areas under low water level conditions.A 1 v 1 Whilein describing-the invention, I havereferred in detail lto the `form, arrangement and construction of the parts involved, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense so that I do not wish to be limited thereto, except as may be speciiically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a locomotive boiler lirebox including a crown sheet and side sheets, a water steaming and circulating element in the firebox and embodying therein at least one lower inlet portion connected to one of said side sheets and a plurality of upper outlet portions operatively connected to said inlet portion, and opening through the crown sheet at spaced points arranged along a line extending diagonally of the crown sheet.

2. In combination with a' locomotive boiler firebox including a crown sheet and side sheets, a water steaming and circulating element in the firebox and embodying therein at least one lower inlet portion connected to one of said side sheets, and a pair of upper outlet portions operatively connected to said inlet portion, said upper outlet portions opening through the crown sheet at spaced points arranged along a line diagonally of the crown sheet.

3. In combination with a locomotive boiler rebox including a crown sheet and side sheets, a water steaming and circulating element in the rlrebox and embodying therein a lower inlet portion extending transversely of the rebox and having ends opening through the side sheets and a plurality of upper outlet portions operatively connected to said lower inlet portion and opening through the crown sheet at spaced points arranged along a line extending diagonally of the crown sheet.

4. In combination with a locomotive boiler iirebox including a crown sheet and side sheets, a water steaming and circulating element in the rebox and embodying therein a lower inlet portion extending transversely of the rebox and having ends opening through the side sheets, and a. pair of upper outlet portions operatively connected to said lower inlet portion and opening through the crown sheet at spaced points arranged along a line extending diagonally of the crown sheet.

5. In combination with a locomotive boiler rebox including a crown sheet and side sheets, a water steaming and circulating element in the rebox and embodying therein a lower inlet portion extending transversely of the lirebox and having ends opening through the side sheets, and a pair of upper outlet portion-s operatively connected to said lower portion and opening through said crown sheet at points on opposite sides of the longitudinal median plane of the crown sheet and forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse plane of said lower inlet portions.

6. In combination with a locomotive boiler rebox including a crown sheet and side sheets, a boiler sheet disposed above the crown sheet, staybolts connecting said crown sheet and boiler sheet and arranged in rows extending longitudinally and transversely of the crown sheet, a water steaming and circulating element in the rebox and embodying therein at least one lower inlet portion connected to one of said side sheets CFI and aplurality of upper outletportionsconnecte ed to said lower inlet portion, said upper outlet portions opening through the `crown sheet at spaced points along ,av line disposed diagonally of said rows of staybolts. z 1 i '7. In.V combination with :a locomotive boiler rlrebox including a crown sheet and side'sheets, a boiler sheet disposed above the crown sheet, staybolts connecting said crown sheet and boiler sheet and arranged in rows extending longitudinally and transversely of the crown sheet, a water steaming and circulating element in the firebox and embodying therein at least one lower inlet portion connected to one of said side sheets and a pair of upper outlet portions connected to said lower inlet portion and opening through the crown sheet at spaced points along a line disposed diagonally of said rows of staybolts.

8. In combination with a locomotive boiler rebox including a crown sheet and side sheets, a boiler sheet disposed above the crown sheet, staybolts connecting said boiler sheet and crown sheet, a water steaming and circulating element in the rebox and embodying therein a lower inlet portion extending transversely of the rebox, and having ends opening through the side sheets, and a plurality of upper outlet portions operatively connected to said lower inlet portion and opening through the crown sheet at spaced points along a line disposed diagonally of said rows of staybolts.

9. In combination with a locomotive boiler rebox including a crown sheet and side sheets, a boiler sheet disposed above the crown sheet, staybolts connecting said boiler sheet and crown sheet, a water steaming and circulating element in the rebox and embodying therein a lower inlet portion extending transversely of the rebox, and having ends opening through the side sheets, and a plurality of upper outlet portions operatively connected to said lower inlet portion and opening through the crown sheet at points spaced on opposite sides or the longitudinally median line of the crown sheet and forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse plane of the inlet portion, the axis of each outlet portion being dis.- posed in a plane between those of adjacent said rows of staybolts.

10. In combination with a locomotive boiler including a crown sheet and side sheets, a plurality of longitudinally spaced water steaming and circulating elements in the rebox, each element including a lower portion extending transversely of the rebox and opening through the side sheets and a plurality of upper portions connected to said lower portions and opening through said crown sheets at points spaced transversely as well as longitudinally of the crown sheet.

11. As an article of manufacture, a water steaming and circulating element for a locomotive boiler firebox comprising at least a pair of opposed tubular legs extending outwardly and being adapted for arrangement transversely of the rebox with the ends opening through the side sheets and including at least two laterally spaced upwardly extending legs, the top end of each leg being adapted for engagement in and to open through the crown sheet and the bottom ends of which communicate with the said rst mentioned pair of legs, the outlet ends of said laterally spaced legs terminating at longitudinally spaced points.

12. As an article of manufacture, a water steaming and circulating element for a locomotive boiler rebox comprising at least a pair of opposed tubular legs extending outwardly and being adapted for arrangement transversely of the rebox with the ends opening through the side sheets and including atleast two laterally spaced upwardly extending 1egs,. the top end of each leg being: adapted for engagement in 22nd' to open throughv the crown sheet and the bottom ends of which communicate wththe saidrst mentioned pairA of legs, the outlet endsl of said laterally spaced legs terminating atfpointsupon opposite sides of the' median line of Asaid out- 5 wardly extending tubular'legs;

ARTHUR WM'. NELSON.A 

